How Thoughtful Interior Design Can Elevate Your Short-Term Rental with Brianna Michele Interiors

In this episode of the Brand and Market Podcast, I’m sitting down with Brianna Amigo, founder of Brianna Michele Interiors, to talk about the role intentional design plays in creating a short-term rental that actually performs in today’s market.

Brianna is the designer behind Luna, so this conversation is especially fun for me because we get to pull back the curtain on the design process and talk about what it really took to bring that vision to life.

From designing around a specific guest avatar to choosing amenities strategically and balancing beauty with durability, this episode is packed with insight for short-term rental owners who want to create properties that stand out and support stronger revenue.

If you’re a short-term rental owner or investor who wants to better understand how design impacts bookings, guest experience, and ROI, this episode will give you a fresh perspective on how to think about your property.

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In this episode, we cover:

• How Brianna transitioned from corporate marketing into short-term rental design
• What made Luna such a unique and exciting project to bring to life
• Why knowing your ideal guest is essential before making design decisions
• What the design process looks like if you don’t have a clear vision yet
• Why you should design for your guest instead of designing for yourself
• How intentional design helps justify higher ADR
• What makes family-friendly properties both beautiful and functional
• How to use market data to shape your amenity strategy
• Why curated, timeless design matters more than chasing trends
• How to think about budget limitations while still planning for a strong long-term vision

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Why design matters more than ever in short-term rentals:

One of the biggest themes in this conversation is that design is no longer just about making a property look nice.

In today’s short-term rental market, design is one of your most powerful marketing tools.

Your listing photos are often the first impression guests have of your property. The way your space looks and feels is what gets someone to stop scrolling, click on your listing, and imagine themselves staying there.

When your design feels intentional and cohesive, it communicates an experience.

And that experience is what allows you to justify a higher nightly rate instead of competing on price.

The industry has changed dramatically over the last several years. What worked in 2019 simply doesn’t cut it in 2026. Guests expect more. Markets are more saturated. And properties that feel generic tend to get lost in the mix.

Thoughtful design helps your listing stand out.

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Designing with a clear guest avatar:

One of the things Brianna and I talk about is how important it is to know exactly who you’re designing for.

When we started working on Luna, I had a very clear picture in mind of our ideal guest. In many ways, our own family is the guest avatar. We wanted to create a place where families could unplug, reconnect, and experience something that felt a little magical.

That clarity made the design process so much easier.

From the celestial color palette to the bunk room to the small details woven throughout the house, everything was chosen with that experience in mind.

When you know who your guest is, you can start making design decisions that actually support the kind of stay you want them to have.

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What if you don’t have a vision yet?

Not every investor starts with a clear design concept — and that’s completely normal.

Brianna shared that when a client doesn’t have a strong vision yet, her team begins with market research.

They study the local market, analyze top performing comps, look at amenity trends, and identify opportunities to create something that feels fresh while still fitting the area.

The goal isn’t to copy what everyone else is doing.

Instead, it’s about understanding what’s already resonating with guests and then finding a way to differentiate.

Sometimes that means introducing a new color palette. Sometimes it means elevating a style that already exists in the market. And sometimes it means leaning into a property’s unique features in a way that creates a stronger identity.

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The power of curated design:

One thing Brianna emphasized in this conversation is the value of curated design.

It’s not just about picking a couch and painting the walls.

It’s about layering details together so the entire space feels intentional. Artwork, textiles, patterns, decor, books, kitchen accents — all of those elements work together to tell the story of the property.

With Luna, that meant carrying the celestial inspiration throughout the home.

You’ll see those blues and purples in the artwork. In the textiles. In the decor. Even in some of the smaller pieces around the house.

Those details are what make the space feel cohesive rather than random.

And when they’re photographed well, they help your listing stand out online.

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Designing for families without sacrificing style:

One of the challenges we talked about in this episode is designing a property that works for families while still feeling elevated.

Families come with a different set of needs. Kids and dogs can be rough on things, so durability and safety matter.

Brianna explained that designing for families often means thinking about things like:

• Washable rugs
• Durable fabrics
• Easy-to-clean surfaces
• Safe wall decor
• Furniture that can withstand wear and tear

At the same time, you still want the property to feel beautiful and intentional.

One of my favorite examples of this in Luna is the bunk room. The room is only 74 square feet, but Brianna designed it to sleep four people while still leaving space for kids to play and hang out.

That kind of thoughtful design is what makes the space both functional and memorable.

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How to choose the right amenities:

Brianna helps clients choose amenities strategically.

When investors aren’t sure what to include in a property, her team looks at market data and tools like AirDNA to analyze what’s performing well.

In some markets, certain amenities are no longer optional.

Things like hot tubs, saunas, or outdoor entertainment spaces can significantly impact ADR and occupancy depending on the location.

The goal isn’t to add trendy features just because they look cool online. It’s about understanding your market and choosing amenities that actually support the guest experience.

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Thinking beyond the purchase price:

Another important point in this episode is that design and amenity costs need to be part of your deal analysis from the start.

Many investors underestimate what it actually takes to create a competitive short-term rental.

It’s not just the purchase price of the home and a basic furnishing budget. It’s also the design, the amenities, the guest experience elements, and the pieces that make the property feel finished.

Of course, not everything has to happen all at once.

With Luna, for example, I knew some elements would come later. But having the full design vision mapped out helped us prioritize what to implement first and what could be part of a future phase.

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The best design decisions start with clarity:

If there’s one takeaway from this episode, it’s this – Great design starts with knowing exactly who you’re trying to serve.

When you understand your ideal guest, their priorities, and the kind of experience you want them to have, the rest of the design decisions become much clearer.

Your concept becomes stronger.
Your amenity strategy becomes more intentional.
Your brand becomes more recognizable.

And when all of those pieces work together, your property becomes more than just a place to stay.

It becomes a destination.

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Connect with Brianna Michele Interiors:

If you loved Brianna’s perspective in this episode and want to learn more about her work, you can find her at Brianna Michele Interiors online and on Instagram where she shares project reveals, design inspiration, and behind-the-scenes looks at her work.

She also offers a really helpful Airbnb Essentials Guide, which I mentioned in the episode. It’s a great resource if you’re setting up your first short-term rental and want a clear checklist of what you’ll need.

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Listen to the full episode:

Be sure to tune in to the full episode of the Brand and Market Podcast to hear the entire conversation and get an inside look at how intentional design can elevate your short-term rental.